Update: Demolished by the spring of 2019.
Christ Redeemed Missionary Baptist Church, formerly St. Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church, was gutted by fire back in January 2017. The heat of the fire is evident in the melted steel trusses. Such a sad loss.
Hello
Really enjoy your pics of abandoned places. I have also photographed the church above post fire. I also have several drone shots that might be of interest to you. If so, I would be happy to share with you.
Gary, I would be interested. Thank you.
Chris
I can send them to you by email attachment but I probably need you to send me an email. Or, is there a better way for you?? I don’t see a way to attach images to this comment…
Gary Vogel
Only in the goog old US of A do we allow all of or old historic buildings to be either torn down or fall into disrepair and eventually engulfed in flames ? such as this once old magnificent edicfice. It’s such a shame the St. Clair County historic society has never reached out or attempted to work in ESL to try and preserve such properties. This site was on landed donated by the old Winstanley family of ESL for St. Elizabeth Church & School along with the former prestigious St. Theresa Catholic Girls High School. The high school consolidated with Assumption in 1974.
The former Winstanley Baptist Church ? at 28th State Street moved to the bluffs in the early 1970s.
St. Elizabeth structurally remained but it’s tragic the fire. One can visit places around the globe and old churches survive even in post Soviet Union but only in USA & our inner cities like ESL do we see this. This is where SIU Edwardsville has truly dropped the ball in its purpose to stay engaged with ESL. SIU demolished the old St. Henry’s Catholic Church in downtown ESL which was in very good condition. They planned to use the site to replace its center at the old Broadview Hotel. SIU moved to land south of East Broadway & had planned to demolish the old Broadview but the city of ESL forbade it. Hopefully some preservation lessons can be learned from all in the region from this fire!
I completely agree. My grandfather, Dr Rev Alfred E Webb was the Pastor of First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, located in East St Louis during late 1950s/early 1960s. I can’t find any information about what happened to yhat church building.
do you know what year St Henry’s Catholic Church was demolished? Have any pictures?
Unfortunately, I do not know. I can look into it.
St. Henry’s at 6th and East Broadway Avenue was demolished around 1981 or 82. The Diocese of Belleville should have a record. It’s beautiful alter and stained glass windows were over 100 years old. The Diocese either sold the architectural items or gave to other churches. The facility was in excellent condition and could have been maintained as an historic facility. It advertised on its marquee during the 1970s until its demolition “An Historical Landmark.” I recalled
I completely agree. My grandfather, Dr Rev Alfred E Webb was the Pastor of First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, located in East St Louis during late 1950s/early 1960s. I can’t find any information about what happened to yhat church building.
There is a picture somewhere on FACEBOOK of the 1954 graduation class from ST. PATRICKS GRADE SCHOOL in EAST ST LOUIS IL. Do you have that picture?